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Nicelag
06-14-2020, 05:24 PM
I am in Southern California and making the jump to a new smoker, and have really enjoyed this forum. I have been using a Char-griller for such in the years past which is in need of replacement. My wife said the family would like to get me a new unit for Father's day with one stipulation. She has absolutely forbid me from buying anything from China.

For most that would be winner winner chicken dinner, but after looking at pricing for U.S. made units, and me being the proverbial cheapskate my first repsonse was "wholly S***". Bottom line i've been told as long as it's made well and will last just get it. What a wife eh boys!...

There was one other stipulation, and that is it can't be bigger than a 24"x36" cook chamber due to the overall footprint. Damn she's picky :-P... I have been looking at cost to value units that won't dig to deep into my cheapskateness and have rounded it down to a few Horizon Classic Icon 20x36, LSG 20x36 and JH 24x36 and I have a few questions as to these smoker sizes.

First off, any thoughts on these units?

From what I have garnered many seem to prefer off-set to reverse flow due to versatility. That being said why are many of the US built smokers in the 20x36" class mostly reverse flow?

I have seen two basic styles in this class round and hexagon shaped. For years mokers were traditionally round so what is the theory of the hexagon shape, and are there any advantages or disadvantages to the two types?

I'm really a beginning stickburner, but since i'll be getting a unit that by the looks of it will last a loooong time, what minimums would you recommend it have i.e. 1 or 2 cooking shelves, slide out shelves etc?

Thank for passing on the your knowledge and opinions....

SmittyJonz
06-14-2020, 07:04 PM
Well if you weren't in Cali I'd say a Made in Mexico Old Country Smokehouse - but they don't ship to Cali Now cuz of yall's Dumbass Prop 65..........

https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/old-country-bbq-pits-smokehouse#repChildCatid=3321871

so call up J&H

https://www.facebook.com/jhsmokers

But the LSG are Nice. Small 36" Units are Generally reverse Flow to Even temps - on traditional the first 4-6-8" can be Much Hotter so wastes a good Chunk of grate space. Hexagon shape Allows for a Bigger Top grate. My personal minimum size requirement would be a 20 x 42" offset but I prefer Verticals for Large Capacity in a Small Footprint and evenish temps in cook chamber.........

https://i.imgur.com/LAcTciul.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/bGyL6isl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ryMgXJfl.jpg

Get Ya One of These:

https://lonestargrillz.com/collections/smokers/products/24-x-24-offset-vertical-smoker

:heh:

If you Look at J&H pics on Facebook he builds trailer offests with a warming cabinet over Firebox - so he should be Able to build a vertical -it's just does he want to. ? I'd ask him to Clone a Smokehouse in 11 ga/10 ga or 3/16" or 1/4".......
.

Cookb4
06-14-2020, 09:16 PM
I own another Horizon model so I can’t speak to the Classic Icon. Overall I have been very happy with my with my Horizon. It is a well built smoker, especially for the price.

tom b
06-14-2020, 10:18 PM
I have one of these gently used I could be willing to make a deal on, probably not worth the advertised cost but a good cooker $400 pick it up and bring help

https://www.bayouclassicstore.com/Charcoal%20Grills/500-736.html

tom b
06-14-2020, 10:30 PM
this is about a year a go PM me if interested a huge upgrade to a char-griller if you ask me

https://i.imgur.com/PDYTJDsh.jpg

Nicelag
06-16-2020, 04:10 PM
Smitty,

Yeah, California has a lot of stupid rules! No ammo purchases online and doing a background check for ammo purchases is another one. Thanks for the info. I will look into that option...